Critters and Creeks
The Riverwood Conservancy
www.theriverwoodconservancy.org

$15,000 (over 5 months)
Grant Stream: Prosperous Greenbelt
Grant Approved: July 1, 2019

Building on the success of their Critters and Creeks program, Riverwood Conservancy is embarking on a new project that celebrates and enhances the biodiversity within Riverwood Park and the Credit River Valley in Mississauga. With a focus on pollinators and airborne wildlife, this project will engage 830 volunteers and school children in hands-on restoration efforts and environmental programming. Bee and bird populations across North America are in decline and public awareness of biodiversity loss is critical to conservation efforts. This project will build a greater understanding and appreciation of pollinators and other airborne wildlife, as well as the important role they play in our ecosystem. This will have a direct impact on the health and viability of local airborne wildlife and the broader river valley ecosystem. 

Specifically, the Riverwood Conservancy will:

• Engage 830 school children and community volunteers through planting activities and educational programming; 

• Facilitate four community wildflower planting events, including planting 1000+ native wildflowers; 

• Develop and deliver 20 curriculum-based educational programs to visiting school groups about biodiversity and the Greenbelt; 

• Facilitate 16 community education events that focus on the wildlife and habitats in Greenbelt-protected urban river valleys;

• Construct and install a bee hotel for solitary bee populations; and,

•Conduct broad outreach through social media platforms.